The history of my company evolved so much. It started as a hobby back in 2013 after I had a major life event. That hobby turned into me opening my first Etsy shop. My company was originally named Savvy Chic. I started out doing coasters and art prints. Then after I took a calligraphy class in 2015, I took a leap of faith and officially started a business of which I named Lee Prints. The word “Lee” comes from my childhood nickname of “Lele.” At first I started by doing calligraphy prints, invitations and some greeting cards. In 2016, I took the leap and decided that greeting cards was where I wanted to focus. And here we are, still marching to the beat and dabbling with product expansion.
My business is known for greeting cards. They are my best sellers, but stickers are starting to make a good appearance here lately so I’m going to do more stickers designs here soon.
Even though I’m not in Chicago, my husband is from that area though so I claim it as my own! True story...at one point we were going to move there for my 9-5 job but it didn’t work out as planned. I’m in Charlotte NC, but Chicago has a very special place in my heart.
OMG to narrow down to 3 will be tough but, my favorite are Oh Happy Dani (@ohhappydani), Leah & Louise (@leah_and_louise) because I’m a foodie and love to eat and Gia Graham (@iamgiagraham)
Hands down my mother inspires me because she is the one true gem in my life. She is the definition of what a mother should be I look up to her now that I’m a mother. She is Black Girl Magic!
Right now Bridgerton. I love it! Now that I know who Lady Whistledown is I’m going back trying to figure out if I could see the hints.
My WFH space is nothing cute, but here you go.
I launched Ready Pretty super part time in 2016 when I was still working as the Director of Content and PR at a marketing agency in Chicago. At that point, it was just a hobby I put out into the world that was fulfilling me in a way that my full-time job wasn’t. I worked on big Fortune 500 brands and had such a heart for small businesses. I officially left that marketing job and took Ready Pretty full-time in 2018.
We help early stage, female-run brands and businesses mostly (but not always) in the fashion, beauty, interiors and lifestyle spaces up-level their digital look and experience online. And we do it in a big way. Oftentimes it starts with concepting a brand shoot and then taking that and bringing it to life with a design or redesign of a website.
From there we support the growth of their business - because as I always say to clients - “if you build it, they won’t come”. So really it’s first creating a beautiful digital presence for our clients and then (probably even more important) helping them to actually get the traffic to their sites that will eventually turn into sales and revenue. It’s so fun being a part of making that magic happen for our clients.
Chicago is a small big city - at least it feels that way. The small business community is incredibly supportive here - the brands we’ve been able to collaborate with, the programs that we’ve executed - so many of these things couldn’t be possible without the support of other independent brands and businesses. I absolutely love to see and cheer on the small businesses that are around us as they succeed.
- Mielle Organics and Briogeo - Go to's for my curly hair.
- Mented - Great lip colors for women of color.
- Linell Ellis - Bright, fun beautiful leather bags
Issa Rae. Everything she touches is gold, I fully relate to her writing and the experiences she shares - and she just seems the type of person you’d want to go have a drink with. She’s incredibly dynamic and Insecure is for sure one of my favorite shows!
Am I the only person on the planet that hasn’t started Bridgerton yet?!? I absolutely loved Studio McGee’s Dream Home Makeover - we just moved into our new home and her aesthetic and eye for design is just insanely beautiful. I’m taking alll the notes when I watch!
I love a good inspirational quote. I surround myself with them in my office to refocus myself when things get crazy or I get off track. This one from T. Roosevelt inspires me every single time.
Affordable women's style in regular and curvy size. Usually denim and anything camo are our best-selling items.
I love how Chicago is one of the largest cities, but it still has a small feel. I love Chicagoans and building relationships with my clients because it feels like they are my homegirls!
There are so many! I'm loving what Afenya Montgomery of iCAN Collective is doing! Luxury bath & body line Nzuri Body Essentials, owned by a fab mother daughter duo. Also, wine and candle brand, Love Cork Screw!
All the women business owners above and the black women around me! I've been reading Shirley Chisholm's autobiography and she is super inspirational!
Anything hilarious is usually my go-to like comedy specials, especially with the greats like Dave Chapelle or Chris Rock. Also, I have been loving Schitt's Creek. Also, I'm low-key obsessed with Naked and Afraid but that's an Amazon Prime show😂
I'm never sitting here but here is where I pack my orders. I move the chair and like to pack orders standing. Plants and (at least a halfway) clean workspace help me be productive!
Since December 2018
I absolutely love to be able to communicate and build relationships with all the amazing store owners and Chicago natives that buy my products. I love representing my city through my art and the Chicago Love is real!
Luella’s Southern Kitchen @luellassouthernkitchen - The shrimp and grits and chicken and waffles are my fave!
Plant Salon Chicago @plantsalonchicago - Plant + Gift Shop
Semicolon Bookstore @semicolonchi - Black-Woman Owned Bookstore
Alexandria Elle is a writer who I recently discovered late last year. She has a book called After the Rain that’s all about gentle reminders for healing, courage, and self-love. After I lost my pup last year, this book was exactly what I needed. It helped me come back to myself, but better. The affirmations that she posts on her instagram page is always spot on and so inspiring. @alex_elle
There’s so many but I love Criminal Minds, I’ve seen every episode but I started re watching it from the beginning.
Plant Salon is known for how we combine tropical houseplants and self care items to create a welcoming, relaxing space. We model this blending in the layout of our shop and items, and sell all the things needed to inspire someone to incorporate more “jungle zen” in their own home. Some of our best sellers are our zz plants, Tuberose body oil, and wood fern scented candles.
Plant Salon is known for how we combine tropical houseplants and self care items to create a welcoming, relaxing space. We model this blending in the layout of our shop and items, and sell all the things needed to inspire someone to incorporate more “jungle zen” in their own home. Some of our best sellers are our zz plants, Tuberose body oil, and wood fern scented candles.
Madam C.J. Walker! Such an inspiring entrepreneur who saw an often ignored, overlooked niche and customer, and created an empire and legacy.
Anything that combines travel and interior design.
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